You can count on your Henry Hoover to put on a smiling face and clean every bit of dust and dirt around your home. But the happy guy also needs a little bit of care and maintenance to ensure it doesn’t stink or lose its suction power. Cleaning the vacuum cleaner is a helpful step.
You must frequently dry-clean a Henry Hoover’s filter – or replace it. Change the bag when full unless you have a reusable bag, in which case you must empty and wash it. Clean the hose, attachments, and the tumbler with soap and water, and wipe the hat with the motor.
Henry Hoovers can last for a long time and stay in perfect shape – as long as you know how to clean its different parts properly. So let’s take a look!
How to Clean Henry Hoover Properly
Henry vacs are not complicated, which makes cleaning them easy. While some parts should not be cleaned with water, other parts need deep cleaning or replacement. Here’s how to clean individual parts of this vacuum cleaner from Numatic International.
1. Steps to Clean Henry Hoover Bag
Henry Hoover vacuum cleaners have two types of bags – disposable bags and reusable bags. Here’s how to take care of them.
a) Disposable Bag
The most commonly used dust collection bags used for Henry Hoovers are the use-and-throw ones. They are fitted inside the canister, attached to the hose protruding on the inside with a small tag. When the dust bag is full, you must replace it with a new one.
It is to be noted that the standard use-and-throw bag is not washable. So, when it’s full, you first need to purchase a new bag. But make sure that it’s the right one for your model by checking the details on the sticker above the vac’s switches.
To replace the bag, turn off the machine and gently remove the hose from the outside. Then, undo the two clips on the sides of the black hat-shaped lid on top. After that, lift and remove the hat and then the filter to reveal the bag inside.
Gently pull the bag at the mouth that’s fitted around the inner nozzle of the canister. Wrap and fold the open mouth right away to avoid spilling or spreading the debris collected into the air, and place it in a garbage bag to dispose of.
Now, take the new hoover bag and pop it inside the canister. Then, flip the tab, put its mouth around the inner hose, and push it towards the wall of the canister until you hear a click. Next, put the filter and the hat pack in place.
Your vacuum cleaner is ready to start vacuuming again. Now isn’t that a doddle? Here’s a video that shows you how to replace the hoover bag.
b) Reusable Bag
Many people do not know that Numatic sells reusable bags for Henry Vacs. For environmentally-conscious users, this is a great option. These are zipper-style bags that you can empty when full and then clean before putting them back into the machine.
The process of removing and replacing reusable bags is the same as above. Since these are zipper bags, ensure that the zipper is closed. Put the filter bag and the hat on top to use the vacuum cleaner again.
When the bag is full, remove it from the canister and unzip it to empty the collected debris into the bin. Then, clean the bag properly. You must remember that only some dirt bags are washable, while others are not.
If it is a washable dirtbag, you can clean it in the washing machine. But wait till the bag is completely dry before putting it back into the Henry vacuum cleaner. You already know how to replace a bag in a Henry vacuum cleaner.
We recommend using a washable, reusable bag as it’s easier to clean. But if the dirt you picked is unwashable, tap the bag to remove loose dust and pet hair. Use a soft brush to clean any dirt stuck to it if required.
2. Steps to Clean Henry Hoover Filter
Keeping the Henry Hoover filter clean is essential for better cleaning. Otherwise, it will fail to suck up any stubborn mess in the nooks and crannies of the house, layers of dust suck in carpet fibres and other allergens.
a) Cleaning Henry Hoover Filter
Thankfully, cleaning Henry’s filters is quite a walk in the park. Start by turning the device off and detaching the lid from the top of the vac. This will reveal the filter, which you can remove from the canister by lifting it.
Now, if the filter has some minor mess, you can easily strike the loose dirt off. However, for more serious cases of a smelly filter or clogged motor vents, this is only the first step. After removing all the loose particles, use a brush or cloth to clean the filter.
Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of as much dust and dirt as possible. But you might not have a spare vac, or there might be no one to lend one. Then, use a brush and a cloth – along with some striking and tapping – to clean the filter.
Though some people wash the filter in a machine or using warm water, remember that Henry filters are not designed for machine washing – or cleaning with water. Doing so can clog the filter more with the dirt stuck to it. So if you want to wash your filter, do so at your own risk.
Here’s a video that shows you how to clean the filter. Pro tip: Add a few drops of citrus essential oil to the filter before putting it back into the canister. This will prevent your Henry Hoover filter from giving off a nasty smell.
b) Replacing the Henry Hoover Filter
Though cleaning your Henry’s filter is an easy process, it might not be right after some time. The filter may no longer be in a condition to be cleaned and reused. You’ll need to change the filter when it’s old, worn out, smelly, and not getting cleaned properly.
But there’s no reason to worry even then. You can easily find replacement filters for your Henry Hoover vacuum cleaner. All you need to do is chuck the old one and fit a brand-new Henry Hoover filter into your vac.
3. Steps to Clean Henry Hoover Canister
Your Henry’s canister may need a cleanup if there’s dirt buildup or mud in it due to spillage from the dirt bag. Some people also make the grave mistake of using the vacuum without a bag, which we don’t recommend, of course.
To clean the canister, take the hat off and remove any loose dirt in or outside it with a brush or vac. We suggest doing this on a regular basis. If there are stubborn buildups, use some liquid soap and a brush to clean it thoroughly – and then rinse it properly.
You can also use a brush with soap and water to clean the outside and the wheels. Wipe it with a dry cloth and allow it to dry thoroughly before putting the lid back on for reuse. Here’s a video that describes the method properly.
4. Steps to Clean Henry Hoover Lid
The lid of the vac is a little trickier to clean because your Henry’s motor is inside it. However, not cleaning would mean clogged vents and buildup in the corners and crevices. Plus, you wouldn’t want your Henry to look like it’s wearing a shabby, dirty hat, right?
To clean the hat, undo the two clips on the sides that hold it to the canister. Then, turn it upside down, and using a piece of cloth, thoroughly wipe and clean the two sides, including all small openings and crevices.
You may use a damp cloth or wet wipes to do this, but ensure that water doesn’t seep inside. Use a small brush to loosen stubborn dirt, though a vac with the brush and crevice tools is the best for this job. You can finish it off by wiping the outside with some shiner.
5. Steps to Clean Henry Hoover Hose, Extension Pipe, and Nozzles
We often forget the hose, extension pipe, or brushless nozzles of a vac when it comes to cleaning. However, it’s important to clean them so that your Henry’s suction is not affected. That’s because, over time, these can get clogged with dirt, hair, pet food, small toys, and more.
a) Clearing Out Blockages
You can clear out blockages in the pipe using the handle of a standard domestic broom. You can use a wire coat hanger or a stiff metal cable as the cleaning material for the smaller nozzles or attachments, though these can also go into the hose or pipe.
First, detach the hose from the canister, and remove the extension pipe and attachments. Then, slide one of the cleaning materials into them individually and push out any lump or object inside. Since the hose is retractable, you won’t need anything too long for it.
b) Internal Washing
You can use your good old garden hose to pass water through the hose, extension pipe, and brushless nozzles. A simple high-pressure spray gun attachment can make the process easier. However, a pressure washer can be an excellent way to push out blockages.
Leave the plastic parts to soak overnight in a mixture of water and soap or baking soda first. This will break down and loosen buildups inside and remove allergens, smell-causing bacteria, etc. But you should wash metal pipes and wipe off moisture immediately instead of soaking them.
6. Steps to Clean Henry Hoover Brush Attachments
The brush attachments of a Henry vac, especially the brush bar with the roller, need regular cleaning. That’s because they can get blocked easily with hair, carpet fibre, fur, threads, and more. There may be a blockage in the neck or tube between the attachment and the hose/pipe.
a) Hair Removal
Start by tugging and pulling the entangled strands with small tweezers to loosen them. Then, using scissors, start cutting them, ensuring that you don’t cut off the bristles in the process. Once done, use your fingers or tweezers to remove them completely.
b) Washing
Soak the attachments in soapy water overnight and rinse them if you want to deep-clean the attachments. However, if there are metal parts, clean them and wipe them dry right away to prevent rusting. You can also disassemble the brush head and brush off the buildups inside.
Clearing Blockages
Use a stiff cable or hanger to push it through to this section. This will help clear the tube, as shown in this video. Or, if you know your way around tools, you can take apart the brush head, as shown here.
Start by undoing the screws and pulling out the hatch. Then, you’ll have to pull the lever pin to remove the small wheel and detach the tube. Get rid of all the unwanted lumps, debris, etc., before reassembling.
Final Words
If you know how to clean your Henry vac properly, you will not have to face issues like poor suction, bad smell, whistling noise, etc. With regular maintenance, you can ensure that the machine has a long life and continues to spread its contagious smile around the house.
FAQ
1. When should I clean my Henry vacuum?
Henry vacs need occasional cleaning, like other vacs, to protect the motors from damage. Signs that your vac needs to be cleaned or emptied include poor suction, stench, and unusual noises. In general, you should clean your vacuum cleaner at least twice every year for maintenance.
2. How often should a Henry filter be cleaned?
There’s no defined timeline for changing a Henry vacuum filter. You should get a new filter if the old one starts to develop signs of damage. If it has tears and holes that let out dirt, it cannot be reused. You should also change the filter if it is clogged or stinky even after getting cleaned.
3. Can I use my Henry vac without a bag?
Henry cans can operate and be cleaned without the bag inside. However, you should never do this. Cleaning without the bag will allow dust particles and allergens to escape into the air and the motor. The filter, too, will get clogged at a rapid rate, and cleaning the machine will be a hassle.
